Reference
Warehouse & logistics glossary
The terms you'll see on rate cards, contracts, and shipping documents — defined plainly, no jargon-for-jargon's-sake.
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B
29 Terms
A way of organizing workers on a pick line so that the line balances itself.
A technique used in requirements planning where available resources are represented in buckets – typically weekly or monthly periods.
A technique used in requirements planning, where available resources are calculated on demand.
The level of merchandise/goods to be stocked is needed to accommodate regular sales orders.
A technique used in the theory of constraints (TOC)-based management systems to overcome shortages and idle constraints.
A storage area for large items, which are most efficiently handled by the pallet load, at a minimum.
The process or act of placing numbers of small cartons or boxes into a larger single box to aid in the movement of products and to prevent damage or pilferage to the smaller cartons or boxes.
The process of housing or storing materials and packages in larger quantities generally uses the original packaging, shipping containers, or boxes.
An electronic forum hosts posted messages and articles related to a common subject.
Also known as the 'Whiplash Effect', it is an observed phenomenon in forecast-driven distribution channels. The oscillating demand magnification upstream in a supply chain is reminiscent of a cracking whip. The concept has its roots in J Forrester's Industrial Dynamics (1961), and thus it is also known as the Forrester Effect.
A group of products that are shipped together as an unassembled unit.
An occurrence where two or more products are combined into one transaction for a single price.
The rate of consumption of cash in a business, burn rate, is used to determine cash requirements on an ongoing basis. A burn rate of $50,000 would mean the company spends $50,000 a month above any incoming cash flow to sustain its business. Entrepreneurial companies will calculate their burn rate in order to understand how much time they have before they need to raise more money or show a positive cash flow.
A term which refers to capturing operational data in real-time or close to it, making it possible for an enterprise to react more quickly to events. This is typically done through software and includes features to provide alerts/notifications when specific events occur. See also: Supply Chain Event Management.
Any computer program, set of programs, or package of programs created to solve a particular business problem or function.
A defined operational plan, which is designed to be implemented in the event of a disruption of normal operations, is called a continuity plan. Disruptions may result from natural disasters, civil or labor unrest, etc. CSCMP provides suggestions for helping companies with continuity planning in their research on Securing the Supply Chain. A copy of the research is available on the CSCMP website.
The set of skills, technologies, applications, and practices used to help a business acquire a better understanding of its commercial context in order to make better business decisions.
The systematic and coordinated set of activities required to provide the physical movement and storage of goods (raw materials, parts, finished goods) from vendor/supply services through company facilities to the customer (market), and the associated activities — packaging, order processing, etc. — in an efficient manner necessary to enable the organization to contribute to the explicit goals of the company.
A technique that uses a system of goals and metrics to monitor performance. Analysis of these measurements can help businesses in periodically setting business goals and then providing feedback to managers on progress towards those goals. A specific measure can be compared to itself over time, compared with a preset target, or evaluated along with other measures.
A formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why they are believed to be attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals.
The practice of outsourcing non-core internal functions to third parties typically includes logistics, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and human resources. Other areas that can be outsourced include IT development or complete management of the IT functions of the enterprise.
The fundamental rethinking and oftentimes radical redesign of business processes are necessary to achieve dramatic organizational improvements.
A periodic assessment of the commercial context of a business includes its mission statement, goals, and strategic plan. Reviews are typically held each quarter and are attended by senior managers from functional areas of both supplier and customer organizations.
As opposed to business-to-consumer (B2C), many companies are now focusing on this strategy, and their sites are aimed at businesses (think wholesale). Only other businesses can access or buy products on the site. Internet analysts predict that this will be the biggest sector on the Web.
The hundreds of e-commerce websites that sell goods directly to consumers are considered B2C. This distinction is important when comparing websites that are B2B, as the entire business model, strategy, execution, and fulfillment are different.
A business unit is a part of an organization that is managed like a separate business, with its own profit and loss financial reporting. For example, in the General Motors group, Chevrolet is a business unit.
The mannerisms inherent in how a business or individual act during the purchasing process.
Basically, these are a form of credit card used to make maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) inventory-type purchases versus using a purchase order (PO) that can cost more to process for small purchases. Companies using these cards typically work with card issuers to develop guidelines for use—sometimes by value limits and type of expense—which provide control over authorized purchases at the point of sale.
A computer term used to define a string of 7 or 8 bits, or binary digits. The length of the string determines the amount of data that can be represented. The 8-bit byte can represent numerous special characters, 26 uppercase and lowercase alphabetic characters, and 10 numeric digits, totaling 256 possible combinations.
C
19 Terms
A federal law requires coastal and inter-coastal traffic to be carried in U.S.-built and registered ships.
Customs Automated Data Exchange System
The use of computers to model design options to stimulate their performance.
(1) A secure enclosed area for storing highly valuable items is called a vault. (2) It is a pallet-sized platform with sides that can be secured to the tines of a forklift. A person may ride on it to inventory items stored high above the warehouse floor.
The Commercial and Government Entity code is a 5-character (numbers and letters) code used to identify contractors doing business with the U.S. Government.
Referring to the practice of placing high-value or sensitive products in a fenced-off area within a warehouse.
The conversion of working days to calendar days is based on the number of regularly scheduled workdays per week in your manufacturing calendar. Calculation: To convert from working days to calendar days, if the work week is 4 days, multiply by 1.75; if the work week is 5 days, multiply by 1.4; if the work week is 6 days, multiply by 1.17.
A call center is a centralized office used for the purpose of receiving and transmitting a large volume of requests by telephone. A call center is operated by a company to administer incoming product support or information inquiries from consumers. Outgoing calls for telemarketing, clientele, product services, and debt collection are also made. In addition to a call center, collective handling of letters, faxes, live chat, and emails at one location is known as a contact center. Synonym: Customer Interaction Center.
A strategy to delay the delivery of items that are not needed immediately is to 'call off' the items from the purchase order as you need them. This approach is known as a Blanket Purchase Order.
The number of telephone calls made or received over a specific period of time.
A supplier ordering method where multiple items from the same vendor are considered/reviewed if any one item from that vendor falls below a specific order point (either set or calculated). Once an item triggers an order, any other items which are near their order point are also considered. This is done to prevent multiple orders for a single vendor in a short time frame, allowing for possible price breaks and shipping discounts.
Racking systems support columns at the rear and arms, which attach to the support columns to hold shelving or stock. Cantilever racks allow for storage of very long items.
A framework that describes the key elements of an effective software process, the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is an evolutionary improvement path from an immature process to a mature, disciplined process. The CMM covers practices for planning, engineering, and managing software development and maintenance. When followed, these key practices improve the ability of organizations to meet goals for cost, schedule, functionality, and product quality.
A technique similar to Available-to-Promise, it uses the availability of individual components to determine if an end item can be configured and assembled by a customer-given request date. It also provides the ability to adjust plans due to inaccurate delivery date promises. Capable-to-promise looks at both materials and labor/machine requirements.
The physical facilities, personnel, and processes available to meet the product or service needs of customers. Capacity generally refers to the maximum output or producing ability of a machine, a person, a process, a factory, a product, or a service. Also, see Capacity Management.
The concept is that capacity should be understood, defined, and measured for each level in the organization, including market segments, products, processes, activities, and resources. In each of these applications, capacity is defined in a hierarchy of idle, non-productive, and productive views.
Assuring that needed resources (e.g., manufacturing capacity, distribution center capacity, transportation vehicles, etc.) will be available at the right time and place to meet logistics and supply chain needs.
A term used to describe the monetary requirements (capital expenditure) of an initial investment in new machines or equipment. Capital refers to the resources or money available for investing in assets that produce output.
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Reference
Warehouse & logistics glossary
The terms you'll see on rate cards, contracts, and shipping documents — defined plainly, no jargon-for-jargon's-sake.
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2279 Terms
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B
29 terms
Bucket-Brigade Picking
A way of organizing workers on a pick line so that the line balances itself.
Bucketed System
A technique used in requirements planning where available resources are represented in buckets – typically weekly or monthly periods.
Bucketless System
A technique used in requirements planning, where available resources are calculated on demand.
Buffer
The level of merchandise/goods to be stocked is needed to accommodate regular sales orders.
Buffer Management
A technique used in the theory of constraints (TOC)-based management systems to overcome shortages and idle constraints.
Bulk Area
A storage area for large items, which are most efficiently handled by the pallet load, at a minimum.
Bulk Packing
The process or act of placing numbers of small cartons or boxes into a larger single box to aid in the movement of products and to prevent damage or pilferage to the smaller cartons or boxes.
Bulk Storage
The process of housing or storing materials and packages in larger quantities generally uses the original packaging, shipping containers, or boxes.
Bulletin Board
An electronic forum hosts posted messages and articles related to a common subject.
Bullwhip Effect
Also known as the 'Whiplash Effect', it is an observed phenomenon in forecast-driven distribution channels. The oscillating demand magnification upstream in a supply chain is reminiscent of a cracking whip. The concept has its roots in J Forrester's Industrial Dynamics (1961), and thus it is also known as the Forrester Effect.
Bundle
A group of products that are shipped together as an unassembled unit.
Bundling
An occurrence where two or more products are combined into one transaction for a single price.
Burn Rate
The rate of consumption of cash in a business, burn rate, is used to determine cash requirements on an ongoing basis. A burn rate of $50,000 would mean the company spends $50,000 a month above any incoming cash flow to sustain its business. Entrepreneurial companies will calculate their burn rate in order to understand how much time they have before they need to raise more money or show a positive cash flow.
Business Activity Monitoring (BAM)
A term which refers to capturing operational data in real-time or close to it, making it possible for an enterprise to react more quickly to events. This is typically done through software and includes features to provide alerts/notifications when specific events occur. See also: Supply Chain Event Management.
Business Application
Any computer program, set of programs, or package of programs created to solve a particular business problem or function.
Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
A defined operational plan, which is designed to be implemented in the event of a disruption of normal operations, is called a continuity plan. Disruptions may result from natural disasters, civil or labor unrest, etc. CSCMP provides suggestions for helping companies with continuity planning in their research on Securing the Supply Chain. A copy of the research is available on the CSCMP website.
Business Intelligence (BI)
The set of skills, technologies, applications, and practices used to help a business acquire a better understanding of its commercial context in order to make better business decisions.
Business Logistics
The systematic and coordinated set of activities required to provide the physical movement and storage of goods (raw materials, parts, finished goods) from vendor/supply services through company facilities to the customer (market), and the associated activities — packaging, order processing, etc. — in an efficient manner necessary to enable the organization to contribute to the explicit goals of the company.
Business Performance Measurement (BPM)
A technique that uses a system of goals and metrics to monitor performance. Analysis of these measurements can help businesses in periodically setting business goals and then providing feedback to managers on progress towards those goals. A specific measure can be compared to itself over time, compared with a preset target, or evaluated along with other measures.
Business Plan
A formal statement of a set of business goals, the reasons why they are believed to be attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals.
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
The practice of outsourcing non-core internal functions to third parties typically includes logistics, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and human resources. Other areas that can be outsourced include IT development or complete management of the IT functions of the enterprise.
Business Process Reengineering (BPR)
The fundamental rethinking and oftentimes radical redesign of business processes are necessary to achieve dramatic organizational improvements.
Business Reviews (BRs)
A periodic assessment of the commercial context of a business includes its mission statement, goals, and strategic plan. Reviews are typically held each quarter and are attended by senior managers from functional areas of both supplier and customer organizations.
Business-to-Business (B2B)
As opposed to business-to-consumer (B2C), many companies are now focusing on this strategy, and their sites are aimed at businesses (think wholesale). Only other businesses can access or buy products on the site. Internet analysts predict that this will be the biggest sector on the Web.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
The hundreds of e-commerce websites that sell goods directly to consumers are considered B2C. This distinction is important when comparing websites that are B2B, as the entire business model, strategy, execution, and fulfillment are different.
Business Unit
A business unit is a part of an organization that is managed like a separate business, with its own profit and loss financial reporting. For example, in the General Motors group, Chevrolet is a business unit.
Buyer Behavior
The mannerisms inherent in how a business or individual act during the purchasing process.
Buying Cards (P-Cards)
Basically, these are a form of credit card used to make maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) inventory-type purchases versus using a purchase order (PO) that can cost more to process for small purchases. Companies using these cards typically work with card issuers to develop guidelines for use—sometimes by value limits and type of expense—which provide control over authorized purchases at the point of sale.
Byte
A computer term used to define a string of 7 or 8 bits, or binary digits. The length of the string determines the amount of data that can be represented. The 8-bit byte can represent numerous special characters, 26 uppercase and lowercase alphabetic characters, and 10 numeric digits, totaling 256 possible combinations.
C
19 terms
Cabotage
A federal law requires coastal and inter-coastal traffic to be carried in U.S.-built and registered ships.
CADEX
Customs Automated Data Exchange System
CAE
The use of computers to model design options to stimulate their performance.
Cage
(1) A secure enclosed area for storing highly valuable items is called a vault. (2) It is a pallet-sized platform with sides that can be secured to the tines of a forklift. A person may ride on it to inventory items stored high above the warehouse floor.
CAGE Code
The Commercial and Government Entity code is a 5-character (numbers and letters) code used to identify contractors doing business with the U.S. Government.
Caged
Referring to the practice of placing high-value or sensitive products in a fenced-off area within a warehouse.
Calendar Days
The conversion of working days to calendar days is based on the number of regularly scheduled workdays per week in your manufacturing calendar. Calculation: To convert from working days to calendar days, if the work week is 4 days, multiply by 1.75; if the work week is 5 days, multiply by 1.4; if the work week is 6 days, multiply by 1.17.
Call Center
A call center is a centralized office used for the purpose of receiving and transmitting a large volume of requests by telephone. A call center is operated by a company to administer incoming product support or information inquiries from consumers. Outgoing calls for telemarketing, clientele, product services, and debt collection are also made. In addition to a call center, collective handling of letters, faxes, live chat, and emails at one location is known as a contact center. Synonym: Customer Interaction Center.
Call-Off Orders
A strategy to delay the delivery of items that are not needed immediately is to 'call off' the items from the purchase order as you need them. This approach is known as a Blanket Purchase Order.
Call Volume
The number of telephone calls made or received over a specific period of time.
Can-Order Point
A supplier ordering method where multiple items from the same vendor are considered/reviewed if any one item from that vendor falls below a specific order point (either set or calculated). Once an item triggers an order, any other items which are near their order point are also considered. This is done to prevent multiple orders for a single vendor in a short time frame, allowing for possible price breaks and shipping discounts.
Cantilever Rack
Racking systems support columns at the rear and arms, which attach to the support columns to hold shelving or stock. Cantilever racks allow for storage of very long items.
Capability Maturity Model (CMM)
A framework that describes the key elements of an effective software process, the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) is an evolutionary improvement path from an immature process to a mature, disciplined process. The CMM covers practices for planning, engineering, and managing software development and maintenance. When followed, these key practices improve the ability of organizations to meet goals for cost, schedule, functionality, and product quality.
Capable to Promise (CTP)
A technique similar to Available-to-Promise, it uses the availability of individual components to determine if an end item can be configured and assembled by a customer-given request date. It also provides the ability to adjust plans due to inaccurate delivery date promises. Capable-to-promise looks at both materials and labor/machine requirements.
Capacity
The physical facilities, personnel, and processes available to meet the product or service needs of customers. Capacity generally refers to the maximum output or producing ability of a machine, a person, a process, a factory, a product, or a service. Also, see Capacity Management.
Capacity Management
The concept is that capacity should be understood, defined, and measured for each level in the organization, including market segments, products, processes, activities, and resources. In each of these applications, capacity is defined in a hierarchy of idle, non-productive, and productive views.
Capacity Planning
Assuring that needed resources (e.g., manufacturing capacity, distribution center capacity, transportation vehicles, etc.) will be available at the right time and place to meet logistics and supply chain needs.
CAPEX
A term used to describe the monetary requirements (capital expenditure) of an initial investment in new machines or equipment. Capital refers to the resources or money available for investing in assets that produce output.
CAR
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